Topline
The royal family’s annual Easter traditions will take place without Kate Middleton this year after her cancer diagnosis, though King Charles III—who was also diagnosed with cancer last month—is expected to make an appearance on Sunday after health issues have kept him away from public engagements for weeks.
Key Facts
Kate, who announced March 22 that cancer had been discovered following her January abdominal surgery, will not attend church with the royal family on Easter Sunday, Buckingham Palace told TIME Magazine.
The Daily Mirror, a British tabloid, claimed Kate, William and their three children will spend Easter at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, citing a “royal source.”
Traditionally, the royal family gathers at Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday and takes a short walk to St. George’s Chapel for a church service, where crowds gather to greet them.
Buckingham Palace told the BBC Charles will attend the traditional church service alongside Queen Camilla and other senior royals, which will be his highest-profile appearance since his cancer diagnosis.
Charles skipped the Maundy Thursday service at Worcester Cathedral this week, a traditional Easter weekend appearance for the monarch, with Camilla attending in his place.
Charles instead recorded a holiday message for the Maundy Thursday service, in which he emphasized the importance of friendship and caring for one another, though he did not directly address either his or Kate’s health struggles.
When Will Kate Return To Public Duties?
Kensington Palace has not yet announced when the Princess of Wales will return to making public appearances. Prior to her cancer diagnosis, public speculation grew about a possible Easter return for Kate. In January, the palace announced she would likely return to public engagements after Easter, citing medical advice—but after her diagnosis, Kate said she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy and that her family needs “time, space and privacy,” likely prolonging her absence from royal duties. Before Kate announced her diagnosis, The Telegraph, citing a palace source, reported that Kate may walk with the royal family to church on Easter. Friends of the royal family reportedly told The Daily Beast earlier this month that Kate may have a “big bang” return to public life on Easter, walking with her family to church and greeting members of the public.
What To Watch For
Some have speculated William and Kate could briefly return to the limelight on April 23, their son Louis’ sixth birthday. Kate has traditionally taken and shared pictures of her children for each of their birthdays, though last year, she was visible in the photograph for Louis’ fifth birthday, which was taken by another photographer. The picture would likely be scrutinized following Kate’s admission that she edited a picture she shared on March 10 to celebrate Mother’s Day. The picture was retracted by major news outlets, and one of the world’s largest news agencies, Agence France-Presse, said Buckingham Palace was no longer a “trusted source” following the photo editing scandal.
Key Background
Charles and Kate both announced cancer diagnoses this year, though the royal family did not announce what type or stage. Doctors allegedly discovered cancer after both royals underwent different medical treatments—Charles received treatment for an enlarged prostate and Kate received abdominal surgery in January, according to the Palace. Kate’s lengthy absence from public life sparked wide speculation over her whereabouts: Her last public appearance was on Christmas with the royal family, and she went unseen until blurry paparazzi pictures in which her face is obscured circulated in March. On March 18, TMZ and The Sun published video footage appearing to show William and Kate visiting the Windsor Farm Shop, though Kensington Palace refused to comment on the video and many speculated it wasn’t actually Kate and William. Two days later, the U.K.’s privacy watchdog announced it was investigating a reported breach of Kate’s medical records after at least one staff member of the London Clinic attempted to access her health information. Kate announced her cancer diagnosis in a video message on March 22, sparking messages of support from world leaders and other members of the royal family.
Further Reading
Kate Middleton Timeline: Princess Of Wales ‘Enormously Touched’ By Public Support Over Cancer Diagnosis (Forbes)
Kate Middleton Confirms Cancer Diagnosis In New Video—In Early Stages Of Chemotherapy (Forbes)
King will attend Easter church service at Windsor (BBC)
